TORONTO — Rogers Communications Inc. says it will launch a new wireless service that's optimized for connecting stationary sensors and similar data-collection devices to the internet.The Toronto-based company says the service will be best used for asset monitoring, industrial automation, utility meters and smart cities.It adds that the technology is complementary to its current national networks using fourth-generation wireless standards and it will prepare Rogers for the arrival of 5G capabilities.All three of Canada's national wireless networks have said the Internet of Things will be an important reason for investing in 5G technology that's to become available over the coming years. Rogers says its newest wireless service will be rolled out in Ontario and spread to other parts of Canada next year. Companies in this story: (TSX:RCI.B)The Canadian Press

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TORONTO — Rogers Media is adding to its podcasting business through the acquisition of Pacific Content, an independent production and marketing company formed five years ago by a number of former employees of the CBC.Pacific Content, which currently employs 22 people based in Vancouver, works with companies and advertisers to attract audiences using audio storytelling techniques.One of its more recent clients is Facebook, which commissioned Pacific Content to create the "3.5 Degrees" podcast about business leaders and entrepreneurs.Facebook's series was released Jan. 13 through the Apple, Google, Stitcher and Spotify podcast platforms."They wanted to make a show for a business audience," Pacific Content co-founder Steve Pratt said in an interview."One of the episodes has (somebody with) a very small, local hamburger business getting to meet the CEO of McDonald's and finding they have a lot in common, and can learn from each other about how their businesses work."This type of commissioned content aims to build a sponsor's brand by attracting an audience, Pratt said."It has to be a really, really great show that truly is original and not a piece of marketing," he added."We bring a lot of expertise in terms of trying to translate brand strategy into audio shows that are great listens."Rogers didn't disclose how much it's paying for Pacific Content but did say it will complement the Frequency Podcast Network that it launched last year.“Podcasting is a big part of the future of audio. We quickly identified its immense potential and are being aggressive in this space,” Julie Adam, Rogers Radio senior vice-president, said in a statement. Pratt said almost all of Pacific Content's employees will remain, although one co-founder will leave to open a restaurant.Asked about Pacific Content's pay scales, Pratt said wouldn't disclose amounts but said they were "better than average.""Our team is the most important thing we have in the whole company and our culture is a huge part of the reason that the company works. And we want to make sure that everybody is feeling very well compensated for the work they do."However, he said, Rogers will also help Pacific Content with its strong sales organization. "Right now most of our clients are in the States, so being able to work with Rogers to make this happen for Canadian brands is something we're really excited about."Rogers Communications Inc. owns one of Canada's largest media businesses, which includes 56 radio stations, 29 local TV stations, the Sportsnet specialty TV channels and the Toronto Blue Jays major league baseball team. Companies in this story: (TSX:RCI.B)David Paddon, The Canadian Press

Rogers Communications Inc. (“Rogers”) announced today that it has successfully closed its previously announced offering of US$1.25 billion aggregate principal amount of 4.35% senior notes due 2049 in the United States (“US notes”) (with an effective hedged Canadian dollar rate of 4.17%) and Cdn$1.0 billion aggregate principal amount of 3.25% senior notes due 2029 in Canada (“Cdn notes”) for aggregate net proceeds of Cdn$2.7 billion.

Rogers Communications Inc. ("RCI") announced today that it has priced a Canadian offering of $1.0 billion aggregate principal amount of 3.25% senior notes due 2029 (the “Canadian Notes”). The net proceeds from the issuance of the Canadian Notes will be approximately $991 million. RCI expects to use the net proceeds of this Canadian offering, together with other debt funding, to fund the $1.725 billion cash investment required to acquire 52 of 64 of the twenty year 600 MHz spectrum licenses available to Rogers.

Rogers Communications Inc. ("RCI") announced today that it has priced an underwritten public offering of US$1.25 billion aggregate principal amount of 4.35% senior notes due 2049. The net proceeds from the issuance of these US dollar debt securities will be approximately US$1.23 billion and are expected to be used, together with other debt funding, for general corporate purposes, including to fund maturing short-term borrowings and to fund the Cdn$1.725 billion cash investment required to acquire 52 of 64 of the twenty year 600 MHz spectrum licenses available to RCI. The sale of the US dollar debt securities is expected to close on April 30, 2019.

Once the frontrunner of telecommunications, Rogers Communications Inc. (TSX:RCI.B)(NYSE:RCI) has been struggling to meet analyst expectations and its shares are likely to continue in a downward direction.

TORONTO — Canada's communications companies need to continuously update their networks and that means they need a regulatory environment that creates incentives for investment, Rogers chief executive Joe Natale said Thursday."Our networks are a living, breathing organism. And they need constant growth and investment," Natale told shareholders of Rogers Communications Inc., owner of one of Canada's biggest wireless networks.He added that the industry needs "the right policies" to ensure the right investments are made for the long term — after noting that Rogers has spent $30 billion on wireless networks over 35 years."Regulation will never be a substitution for innovation . . . At its worst, it is a barrier that stops innovation, and investment, in its tracks."The comments seemed like a message to the federal government, particularly Innovation minister Navdeep Bains, who recently announced a new policy direction for telecommunications in February.The proposed policy, which is going through an approval process, signalled a lower priority for investments in telecom networks and a higher priority for lowering prices through a wider range of competition.That was followed by a CRTC announcement in March that it was beginning a review of Canada's mobile wireless market with the "preliminary view'' that there should be more opportunity for mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs).Natale said Thursday in an interview Rogers agrees with "the philosophical direction" of increasing telecom affordability for Canadians if it's "underpinned by investment and investment returns for the people who are making the investment.""Create an environment with a light regulatory touch, create an environment where there are incentives for people to enter the market . . . and I think you can have the best of both worlds."He said MVNOs — which buy capacity on mobile networks from other companies that have built their infrastructure — may have led to lower consumer prices in some countries but reduced investments and network quality.Earlier Thursday, Natale told analysts that Canada's wireless industry experienced an unusually slow first quarter, with subdued promotional activity in January and February, but suggested the pace will pick up as the year progresses."Overall, we have confidence in our long-term growth plans, and remain on track to deliver on our healthy outlook for 2019.""We continue to see robust growth opportunities. It may not be as high as Q4 (2018) . . . but still very healthy growth overall."Several of the company's financial metrics fell short of analyst estimates in the first quarter.On an adjusted basis, Rogers said it earned $405 million or 78 cents per share for the quarter ended March 31, down from an adjusted profit of $477 million or 90 cents per share a year ago.Revenue totalled nearly $3.59 billion, down from $3.63 billion in the same quarter last year. The wireless division accounted for $2.189 billion in revenue during the first quarter.Analysts on average had expected a profit of 94 cents per share and revenue of $3.72 billion, according to Thomson Reuters Eikon.Rogers reported 23,000 net additions to its post-paid wireless services — down from the year-earlier net addition of 95,000 postpaid subscribers. The consensus estimate had been for the net addition of 84,000 postpaid subscribers.Last week, rival Shaw Communications Inc. said its mobile arm — which only has networks in Ontario, Alberta and British Columbia — had a net gain of 64,700 postpaid subscribers.Analyst Aravinda Galappatthige of CanaccordGenuity said in a research note to clients that 2019 growth may be "a lot more moderated" than in 2017 and 2018 and more competition from Shaw's Freedom Mobile, especially in the West.He said CanaccordGenuity has lowered its estimates to the lower end of the Rogers 2019 guidance range and lowered its price target for Rogers stock to $70 per share from $75 per share.Rogers stock closed Thursday at $68.90 on the Toronto Stock Exchange, after falling $2.04 or 2.9 per cent. Companies in this story: (TSX:RCI.B)David Paddon, The Canadian Press